WILMINGTON, Mass. — Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara was on the ice for the start of Bruins practice today at Ristuccia Arena.

He reportedly had a phone hearing today with the NHL at noon about the hit he threw at Montreal’s Max Pacioretty last night.

Why the league doesn’t announce these things and instead allows its closest media members to “leak” this info is, and always will be, beyond me. But anyway, I’m sure we’ll hear a decision on Chara’s case sometime between now and the end of practice.

Chara is allowed to practice with the team regardless of his suspension status, as we saw earlier this season with Daniel Paille.

With all due respect to Chara, 2 games would have been the prudent NHL move.(to reduce ill sentiment) This does not remove one of Boston’s top players for too long and sends a message.

That said, If I’m building a team, Chara gets my nod 100% of the time. He is a work horse. I remember one year watching him play through a shoulder injury despite being in obvious pain. There is one other thing I’d like to mention;

This goes out to my fellow Hab fans who may still be lurking:

I have watched Chara play for a long long time, he is the player that all coaches covet. at 6’9″ he is a beast, but I have watched him hit smaller players with just enough force to knock them off the puck, I have RARELY seen Chara use excessive force.(he has, but rarely) So in this matter we need to give the devil(bruin) his due. In all honesty, after taking emotion out of the equation, I believe Chara is in serious pain over the incident. Anyone who has watched him throughout his career will know this to be true.

I know what you’re saying, DAR. I haven’t played hockey at that high of a level, but I have played rugby at the college level. While it is by no means the same sport, you see the same situations with borderline hits that can really injure someone. To say with certainty there is intent is impossible (on 99% of hits, you’re always going to have the Bertuzzi sucker punch situations where there is no excuse). You’ve got a split second decision to make, and sometimes it doesn’t turn out well.